I too am headed to Pleasant Canyon in late April 2017. Is the South Park Canyon Road "closed" due to the bridge not allowing full size vehicles? If so, any word from BLM or Park Service when the bridge is going to fixed? Are they looking for volunteers or professional engineers to give it a blessing? Just curious. As you mention, I've heard it has been closed for years now but people have driven it anyway with Toyotas, Jeeps, Nissans, etc. with no issues.

In Saline Valley terms, I think of the Pleasant Canyon-Briggs Cabin-South Park Canyon loop as "Steele Pass With Consequences".Big drop offs, no room for error, and then there are the conflicting opinions about the bridge. I always thought you could take a smaller PU/SUV/Jeep over it but shouldn't try it in a four ton F350.Feels more comfortable, safer on a 320lb XR650 for sure...

Thanks everyone for the info. Good question carexpert, about whats my definition of "passable". I drive a 4runner (pretty much stock but with very good off road tires.) I've been in some fairly rough spots where my wife has threatened me with great bodily injury, then has gotten out and said she loved me (in case I rolled off a cliff.....Lol.) So I guess I'm fairly competent, always seem to make it from point A to B with no mishaps........knock on wood! About that "Chicken Rock"....hmm..... I did see some YouTube videos of it. Looks to be a can-do, as long as I'm not top heavy like one of the videos I observed.

The road itself is in its "standard condition". The problem is that the BLM has posted the bridge above Briggs Cabin "Closed" to full sized vehicles. Quads and dirt bikes are OK. Jeeps and trucks are not. It's been that way for several years. Some people choose to ignore the signs. If you do, don't get caught.

Other than the bridge, a competent driver in a suitable vehicle should have no problem with the road.

Going to visiting the Springs in Oct, then going to Panamint Valley & up Pleasant Canyon and onto the Briggs cabin. I'm wanting to come down via South Park Canyon, but head about a year or so ago it was not passable, anyone know?

Insert Photos

Web address (URL)

Image URL

If your URL is correct, you'll see an image preview here. Large images may take a few minutes to appear.
Remember: Using others' images on the web without their permission may be bad manners, or worse, copyright infringement.